Oregon State Governor

WHEREAS: Beginning in 1915, the Ottoman Empire initiated a reign of terror that ultimately resulted in the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in eight years; and

WHEREAS: This systematic program of genocide and forced deportation was undertaken to eliminate the Armenian race; and

WHEREAS: The year 1990 marks the 75th anniversary of this racially prejudiced episode in history; and

WHEREAS: Analyses of this illogical persecution of the Armenians are being incorporated into studies of racial bias, such as the Holocaust and other violations of human rights; and

WHEREAS: It is appropriate that we make ourselves aware of such instances from the past so that we do not allow the repetition of similar racial violence and hatred to destroy our present and our future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Neil Goldschmidt, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim April 24, 1990, as

DAY OF ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE

in Oregon and encourage all citizens to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Oregon to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Salem and the State of Oregon, on this day, April 23, 1990.